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While there are dozens of quests to complete inThe Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, there are some that take more effort than others. Quests will take you across the map, have you rescue villagers, and slay mighty beasts that stand in your way. A Shadow Over Hackdirt, however, will test your investigative skills.
When Dar-Ma from Chorrol goes missing, it’s up to you to find and rescue her. There are several ways to do this, and we’ll walk you through the best ways to safely get her home. Here’s everything you need to know to help locate the missing Argonian in Cyrodiil.
How To Start A Shadow Over Hackdirt Quest
Before this quest starts, you’ll need tovisit the city of Chorrolat least once andmeet young Dar-Ma. She’s a chatty Argonian woman living with her mother, Seed-Neeus. Together, theyrun the Northern Goods and Trade shopin town.
After meeting Dar-Ma,speak with her motherupon your next visit. You will need to leave Chorrol completely for this quest to begin. Apparently, Seed-Neeus sent her daughter tomake deliveries to a small settlementcalled Hackdirt, not far from Chorrol. However,she hasn’t yet returnedand Seed-Neeus is worried.
If you’ve been to Hackdirt before, make sure that Etira Moslin and Vlanholder are alive when you leave, otherwise the quest won’t start.
Where To Find Hackdirt
Leave Chorrol andhead south of the city. You’ll follow the path downpast the Weynon Priory, then detour along thedirt track further south. If you’ve reached the Odiil farm, you’ve gone too far.
When you arrive in Hackdirt, you’ll notice thatmost of the town is in ruins. The place was burned down long ago and the remaining inhabitants are less than welcoming. Speaking with them willreveal very little information, if any at all.
How To Find Dar-Ma
Investigate the town at your leisure, though don’t dawdle. While thepeople aren’t forthcomingabout Dar-Ma, you may question them as much as you’d like to get an idea of what’s going on.
Speak with Etira Moslin, the local merchant and Seed-Neeus' contact. Sheclaims that Dar-Ma never arrivedand that Seed-Neeus is a swindler, but offers little else. You’refree to explore the townandcollect evidence of Dar-Ma’s presenceon your own.
Gathering Evidence Of Dar-Ma’s Arrival
Several pieces of evidence can help you locate Dar-Ma in Hackdirt. Below are some of the ways you can confirm that she did visit town and is still nearby:
The Bible of the Deep Ones is a rare book, so you should pick it up.
Every structure in Hackdirt hasa secret trapdooryou can use, which will help youfind Dar-Ma faster. However, if you want to collect more information before heading down there, there’sonly one townsperson who can help.
Speak with Jiv Hiriel to learn that it’snot safe to talk openly(if you hadn’t gathered that already).Meet him at his houseafter dark, just beside the chapel. Inside, he’ll reveal thatthings have gone too farand you only havea few hours to save Dar-Mafrom Hackdirt.
Jiv Hiriel gives youa key to the cavernsbelow the settlement and instructs you tohead through the inn to get to Dar-Ma.
It’s possible tofind Dar-Ma before speaking to Jivand rescue her during the day, though thetownspeople devoted to the Deep Ones will attackon sight.
How To Keep Dar-Ma Safe
When youenter the cavernsbeneath the settlement, you’ll find Dar-Ma locked in a cage. Carefully make your way to her to avoid detection, orslay the half-dressed Hackdirt Bretheren. Use thekey on the stoolbeside Dar-Ma to free her orpick the lock.
You cansneak out together through the ladderto the inn andmake your way to her horse,Blossom. If youdrop a weapon for Dar-Ma, she may pick it up and defend herself. Otherwise, flee the town as quickly as you can.
If Dar-Ma gets to Blossom,she’ll ride her back to town. However, she’s incredibly slow since the horse has thrown a shoe.
Instead,mount Blossom yourself and fast travel back to Chorrolto avoid getting attacked on the road.
Once you’re back,speak with Seed Neeusto tell her that her beloved daughter is safe. You’ll be rewarded with a five-pointincrease to your Mercantile skill, a boost in fame, and a 100 point dispositionwith Seed-Neeus for rescuing Dar-Ma.
If Dar-Ma dies at any point during this quest, you’ll have toreport the bad newsto Seed-Neeus. Youwon’t get a rewardsince she now needs to mourn the loss of her only child.
Should You Kill The People Of Hackdirt?
If spotted by the townspeople at night before the ritual, most of them willturn hostile and attackyou. Even if undetected, should you ever return, they’ll attempt to kill you.
Despite the growling sounds in the underground caverns, youwon’t actually see the Deep Ones. However, it’s believed the guttural sounds are supposed to be the unknown creatures.
Only a handful, including Jiv Hiriel, willavoid combat with you. So, unless you’re willing to go to extraordinary lengths, you’lllikely have to kill almost everyonein Hackdirt.
If you’re set onsaving the townsfolkfor some reason, sneak your way around the settlement andspeak only to Jiv Hirielwithout being seen, then make your way to the caverns.
Even if you can escape without getting spotted, there’s a chance the townsfolk will still attack, so be on your guard.
Regardless of your actions,the Hackdirt Bretheren will find you. If you don’t kill them in the caves, they willemerge from the trapdoors and chase youin the overworld. Dispatch them quickly to prevent more casualties in Cyrodiil.
